Laughter is the Best Medicine

She's Mo D Nurse, RN! In case you don't know what RN stands for, In her case it means really nutty. I MEAN REEEEEEALLY NUTTY!

What? You want me to turn over so you can take my temperature, WHERE???

He's Dr. Linny D Clown...whatever you've got wrong, he'll fix it. If you have something to be removed, he's the one to do it. He might have a few parts left over when he finishes a job. You may never be the same again!

Linny and Mo are "Caring Clowns"

Linny and Mo make Clown Rounds at Rex Hospital in Raleigh, NC They visit patients in their rooms and entertain staff at their work stations when it will not interfere with patient care. They also take turns visiting all of the ancillary waiting rooms and entertain the families and friends of patients as they wait for news of their loved ones.

Why do clowns go into hospitals and do what they do?

Because many studies by reputable authorities have shown that laughter and humor have many positive benefits on health and the healing process. Clown visits give the patients, families and workers a brief respite from the stresses of the day.

Do the patients always laugh?

Almost always, but sometimes the patient just needs someone to talk to, and then the clown becomes an active listener and lets the patient talk without being judgemental or inquisitive. That is therapeutic too.

Linny and Mo are familiar figures around the halls of Rex Hospital in Raleigh, NC

How can I become a Caring Clown?

To be a good Caring Clown, you need to learn the basics of clowning and develop basic entertainment skills. Excellence in makeup and costuming are important. Makeup and costuming can be very simple but should be in good taste, neat, and immaculately clean. Having knowledge of health care facilities, good communication skills, and a sensitivity to patients' feelings are essential.

Okay, I've learned the basics, now what should I do?

Call the health care facility where you would like to be a Caring Clown and make an appointment to talk with the volunteer coordinator. You will attend classes for volunteers and learn about the hospital, safety and security issues, and all else you need to know. Each facility has its own requirements. It may be useful to write a written proposal with competencies for your clown identified. A sample outline for a proposal is given at the bottom of this page.

Never just show up in face and costume and ask to be allowed to visit. If you do, you should be refused.

Security issues require that clowns have proper identification when in the health care setting. Accreditating agencies and regulatory bodies also have rules and guidelines that hospitals must follow.

Most nursing homes and rehab centers welcome Caring Clowns to their facilities. Most of the residents love the clowns and are extremely appreciative of a clown visit. Many times, all that is required to set up a schedule for clown visits at a nursing home is to call the activities director. If you have never spent time around a nursing home, be sure to visit and tour the facility out of clown first.

A number of books and publications are available to help you along the way if you think being a Caring Clown is something you want to do.

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Sample Guideline for a Written Proposal for Caring Clown Visits

Proposal
for
A Caring Clown Visitation Program
by (Who is Submitting the Proposal)

Rationale: (Here, give the reasons you are making the proposal.)

Background Information: (Here, give background information to support the rationale. You may refer to research that has shown the benefits of humor and clown visitation.)

Date of Proposal: (The date that the proposal is submitted)

Facility: (Name the facility to which the proposal is being submitted)

Date of Implementation: (Tentative date that you want to begin)

Personnel: (Name the person, persons, or group who will fulfill this proposal in the event that it is accepted)

Training: (Identify the special training that the personnel named above will undergo as a prerequisite to entering the facility in clown)

Schedule: (Here identify how the schedule of clown visits will be handled and state the planned frequency of visits)

Clown Activities: (What are the general types of things that the clown(s) will do in the hospital setting?)

Clown Responsibilities: (Make some statements indicating that the clown(s) will adhere to all policies and guidelines, etc, and any other relevant responsibilities)

Clown Personnel Competencies: (Here state the specific objectives for the clown visits. Identify what the clown will and will not do. Write the competencies in behavioral terms. I suggest that this section be started with: "The Clown shall:" and the individual competencies be listed.)

Conditions: (Spell out whether you want to come in as volunteers or if you want to be compensated for your efforts . If compensation is required, spell out what is sought.)

Submitted by: (Type the name(s) of the person(s) submitting the proposal, sign, and date the proposal)